Pesto I love the first harvest of my Italian Genovese basil.  It is a perfect time to make Pesto.  Genovese basil is a sweet basil.  It is the essential ingredient in basil pesto, but it is also wonderful in sauces, on pizzas, and any other […]

Pumpkin Gnocchi with Brown Butter and Crispy Sage Leaves It’s fall and the pumpkins are calling me!  What better time to enjoy a wonderful plate of Pumpkin Gnocchi with Brown Butter and Crispy Sage Leaves. These Pumpkin Gnocchi are soft and pillowy!  They are flavored […]

Amaretti Cookies Amaretti Cookies originated between the 17th and 18th centuries in Saronno, Italy, a city just north of Milan in Lombardy.   The name Amaretti Cookies comes from the Italian word “amaro,” meaning “bitter”. This refers to the bitter flavor of almonds or apricot kernels, […]

Fennel Orange Salad This is a bright and refreshing Sicilian Fennel Orange Salad with a wonderful orange citrus vinaigrette. I like to use both Cara Navel Oranges and Blood Oranges, but you could use  whatever oranges you have access to. Equipment:  The easiest way to […]

Italian Chicken Quesadilla Italian Chicken Quesadilla is a great twist on a regular quesadilla.  This is a perfect meal for lunch or dinner or a late night snack. I did two separate versions.  Made this once with the Chicken and then made it a second […]

Panzanella Salad Panzanella Salad is a Tuscan and Umbrian chopped salad, and is typically made with stale bread croutons, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions and fresh basil.  This salad is also popular in other parts of central Italy and is perfect as a fresh summer salad. I […]

Sfingi (Italian Donuts) Sfingi are Italian Donuts and typically served on St. Joseph’s Day.  St. Joseph’s Day is a feast day that is all about giving and sharing.  According to legend, there was a severe drought in Sicily during the Middle Ages.  The villagers prayed […]

Zuppa Toscana It is still winter and cold here.  So another soup.  Zuppa Toscana, which literally means “Tuscan Soup”.  This is similar to the Olive Garden version which is creamier and richer than the actual original from Tuscany. One issue I had is that the […]

Escarole Soup Escarole Soup is a classic Italian soup.  It is very quick and easy to make.  It is also flavorful, yet a really light soup.  Escarole is a winter leafy green that is part of the endive lettuce family, but it is not as […]

Bolognese Sauce with Papperadelle The one dish that I never order at a restaurant is any pasta with a Bolognese Sauce.  It is always too salty for my taste.  A traditional Bolognese Sauce is made with ground beef, ground pork and veal, which helps make […]